2013 or 2014 blade

[Angrybiker]

My insurance is up in a month and I'm considering a blade. I know they made some changes in 14 - not sure I'd prefer more aggressive riding position but I do like the sound of more progressive power delivery.
There's nowhere I can find locally with both a 13 and 14 to test ride.
Anyone any views?

[trickywoo]

The 2008 model was pretty much unchanged until the new one this year.

Buy the best value one in the colour you like.

[Angrybiker]

Oh cool, ok thanks. reading up I got the impression that year was a little more than incremental.

[trickywoo]

You may be looking at the SP which is different but mainly due to bolt on brakes and suspension.

I think the RRA 2010 is the blade sweet spot for value personally.

[RemaL]

Angrybiker said:

Oh cool, ok thanks. reading up I got the impression that year was a little more than incremental.

I had the 2011 which was the same as the 08. my mates 12 plate had a fancy Dash and a few minor changes.

As said the 08 until 16 had only minor changes. different makes of forks, or brakes, dig dash, colour scheme etc...

So go for the one you like best. test ride if you can and buy. Had my 2011 for 5 years. A comfy as feck bike to use on track, road or tour. I did 1800 miles in 7 days back when the bike was 6 months old

[Angrybiker]

Oh definitely not the SP, there was one article that said for 14 they changed the mapping for a cylinder head tweak and moved the footpegs back and widened the bars.

nice.... I'm keen to test ride though because I've ridden 600RRs for the last 16 years, never a 1000. I'm sure I'll love it but the vast majority of my riding is commute so I just want to be sure it'll be manoeuvrable in the traffic and not too twitchy on the throttle etc. If there's not much difference I'll just pop along to dealer on Sat and take one out for a spin. I do like the 'new' dash though.

Edited by Angrybiker on Thursday 20th April 17:49

[trickywoo]

Any of the blades around that time will be perfect for that. Just be prepared for the front coming up in third off the throttle.

[3DP]

I tested the 2012 model in 2013 and bought a 2014 model year one new, registered in 2015.

There are quite a few changes to the 2014 model that Honda did not make a song and dance about, but it produces more power, has nicer fuel injection and although on the surface the bar angle and footpeg positions are more extreme, they were actually designed to be more natural, so work out more comfortable.

Aftermarket end cans are a little more difficult to find for 2014> models as they changed the cat location and outlet diameter as well as the footpeg change necessitating a different mounting point, but based on my experience, I'd try to get at 2014 model. It benefitted from a lot of the SP refinements on the quiet.

[jjones]

Angrybiker said:

but the vast majority of my riding is commute so I just want to be sure it'll be manoeuvrable in the traffic and not too twitchy on the throttle etc.

Great for commuting. I did around 9k last year on my 2010 RRA. No throttle "twitchyness", would benefit from a race throttle (don't know the proper name but where there is less throttle travel) they are not expensive but I am too incompetent/lazy to fit one. The mirrors fold back easily for filtering and the midrange is fantastic (but they do lack the top end punch of some of the other 1000s). Excellent manoeuvrability and nice and narrow.

Tank range is around 115-120 before fuel light then approx 15-20 more before grinding to a halt.

[Mr OCD]

I've done around 25,000 miles on my 2010 RRA now ... a great bike but if I was buying another now I'd be buying a 2012 onwards, probably 2014. As mentioned the riding position is improved (pre 2014 have the pegs set too far forward) ... and the on-off throttle from open to closed was also improved which is a major pet hate with mine ... although apparently flashing sorts it now and if I keep mine through summer (unlikely) then will be the route I go down ...

You also get the better suspension, nicer wheels and dash with 2012> Fireblade's and the updated cosmetics ...

After all the upgrades on mine though it's pretty much perfect as it should be.

Nearly 30,000 miles on it now.

[3DP]

Mr OCD said:

I've done around 25,000 miles on my 2010 RRA now ... a great bike but if I was buying another now I'd be buying a 2012 onwards, probably 2014. As mentioned the riding position is improved (pre 2014 have the pegs set too far forward) ... and the on-off throttle from open to closed was also improved which is a major pet hate with mine ... although apparently flashing sorts it now and if I keep mine through summer (unlikely) then will be the route I go down ...

You also get the better suspension, nicer wheels and dash with 2012> Fireblade's and the updated cosmetics ...

After all the upgrades on mine though it's pretty much perfect as it should be.

Nearly 30,000 miles on it now.

You have that in such a lovely spec now and looking so good for 30k miles.

[Rawwr]

I had a 2009 and a 2014. Objectively, the 2014 was the better bike; engine felt smoother, dash was nicer, riding position was a little more comfortable. Having said that, I have much fonder memories of the 2009 one but I suspect a lot of that was due to the (amazing) HRC colourscheme and the fact it was my first litre bike.

It's also worth noting that the wheels they used from 2012 (I think) onwards are heavier than the tri-spoke ones they used before.

[Angrybiker]

Aha, thanks for all that. I'm curious about the footpegs because I have shorter legs (tippy toe on the 600, so I look like a pratt reversing! )

Looks like Chiswick Honda have 12, 13 and 14 models now (albeit not in my colours) so I can try out before and after.

Prices on these look really bizarre. On Autotrader there are some 10 models with high miles priced for more than more recent models with fewer miles; similar models and years and mileage a grand apart...

[rat840771]

As a benchmark, i have a mate who went to John Banks Honda and bagged a 2015 repsol blade with 900 miles on for £8300. That is a bargain price so deals can be had!

He did buy this in the middle of winter, maybe that is why he got such a good deal.

[Angrybiker]

Yeah rats I missed that boat - but also John Banks also isn't in a rich part of London where the mugs / spare cash ratio is close to 1. I might keep an eye on superbike factory, they usually have some pretty nice prices.

[PTF]

Sold my 2014 HRC colour ABS model with 4k miles for £8k last year. Regretting it now. Miss it.

[Mr OCD]

Angrybiker said:

superbike factory, they usually have some pretty nice prices.

Nice prices... 99% of it is junk. Go in with eyes wide open.

[Mr OCD]

3DP said:

You have that in such a lovely spec now and looking so good for 30k miles.

Thanks.

I bought it with 3,000 miles just 3yrs ago. So the mileage has all been done by me and the bike has wanted for nothing. Ventureshield fitted when purchased has helped keep the stone chipping to a minimum.

It doesn't get wrapped in cotton wool. It gets used all year round (it doesn't go out when salt / ice are present) and washed once a week to stop any dirt build up. (Stripped once a year in Spring for a deep clean) Yep, I like a clean shiny bike - but then who doesn't...

No issues in all those miles except a dead battery (my fault) ... and a bad switchgear connection (also my fault) ... it might be bland to some but as a road going superbike I don't think there is anything out there better in my opinion. It's comfortable, reliable, fast, handles superbly inspiring confidence and does over 45mpg on the commute. It's going to be a real struggle to replace it.

[Rawwr]

Mr OCD said:

It's going to be a real struggle to replace it.

[Angrybiker]

Mr OCD said:

Nice prices... 99% of it is junk. Go in with eyes wide open.

I don't doubt you but explain please? If it's a 3 year old with provable mileage and clear checks for cat c/d; service history etc. should be the same risk as main dealer who takes anything as p/e and then sells on?